Work is set to get underway on a new bus station at Westgate this week. A contract has been awarded to HEB Construction to start a package of enabling works to get the site ready in advance of main construction beginning in mid-2025, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
“A new Westgate station will provide better connections between local bus and Western Express (WXI) services to Auckland city and will form an important part of the Government’s wider plans to deliver a busway alongside State Highway 16 from Brigham Creek to Auckland City through the Northwest Rapid Transit project,” Mr Brown says.
“With more than 100,000 extra people expected to be living in the northwest of Auckland by 2051, we need to provide more reliable public transport choices that reduce travel times and congestion in Auckland.
“The enabling works getting underway for the new Westgate bus station include bulk earthworks to provide a level platform to build the new station on, debris removal, site compound establishment and fencing, and utility works, including storm water line construction and other connections.
“The NZ Transport Agency expects a construction contract for the station to be awarded by mid-2025, with works beginning soon after and completed in mid-2026. When complete the new Westgate station will replace the temporary bus stop on Kedgley Road.
“This Government is committed to delivering a rapid transit system that will support urban development and housing growth in the northwest of Auckland – it’s great to see work on this important project starting to get underway.”
The Westgate Bus Station project is funded by the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) to enable advance delivery of the local portion of the Westgate Bus Station.
The juvenile/subadult dolphin, which is travelling with a fully grown dolphin, was first reported to DOC’s hotline on 29 December. It was observed entangled in a fishing net in the Western Waitemata Harbour.
DOC staff have been monitoring the dolphins in the Riverhead Herald Island area, and although they have appeared calm, the positioning of the net may limit the entangled dolphin’s movement and ability to dive.
DOC’s specialist marine mammal disentanglement team is assembling and preparing to intervene. There is added difficulty due to the dolphin’s companion animal, and careful planning is required to ensure a safe outcome for both animals.
What you can do if you spot the dolphin
Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68) immediately with the dolphin’s location and behaviour.
Stay at a safe distance to monitor the dolphin without causing distress.
Boaties should avoid approaching the dolphin or attempting to remove the entanglement, as it can endanger both the dolphin and those involved.
“It’s vital to locate this dolphin as soon as possible,” says Kirsty Prior, DOC Operations Manager. “The safety of both the animal and people responding to its distress is our top priority. Entangled marine mammals face significant risks, and careful planning is needed to ensure the best outcome.”
Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is a growing threat to marine life. DOC urges fishers and boaties to minimise floating slack lines when setting fishing gear and to dispose of waste and old gear responsibly to prevent marine debris.
DOC has a specialist marine mammal disentanglement team trained to safely free entangled animals using internationally recognised best practices. “Entanglements like this happen one to two times a year around New Zealand,” says Kirsty. “We have the skills, equipment, and experience to respond, when necessary, but locating the animal is the first crucial step.”
While disentanglement procedures are primarily designed for larger marine mammals like whales, DOC will assess and adapt its approach for this entangled dolphin. DOC teams are equipped with specialist tools and follow strict protocols to ensure safety for both the marine mammal and rescuers.
The last reported sighting was yesterday afternoon by the Huapai Golf Course at the edge of Waitemata Harbour. Anyone spotting the dolphins should call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 36 24 68) immediately with the location and dolphin’s behaviour.
If you’re after epic adventures, you can’t look past the story of Carlos Zavalaga, who followed Northern Buller’s albatross all the way from Peru to the tiny island of Motuhara in the Chathams and back again!
Northern royal albatross colony. Image: Carlos Zavalaga
Dr Carlos Zavalaga, a researcher at Universidad Científica del Sur in Lima, Peru, knows the migratory Northern Buller’s albatross fly several thousands of kilometres from their breeding grounds in Aotearoa New Zealand to feed in Peruvian waters where artisanal long-line fishing vessels operate.
What he doesn’t know and wants to find out – just like our DOC seabird teams here in Aotearoa – is if the interactions between the birds and the fishing boats are posing a risk to the birds. So, as a secondee to DOC, he crossed the Pacific as albatrosses do, to help find out.
Black-browed albatross, white-chinned petrel, and Northern Buller’s albatross competing for shark guts, southern Peru. Image: Javier Quiñones
Seabird capital of the world
You would’ve heard this already, but it’s worth repeating. Aotearoa is the seabird capital of the world. We host over 30% of the world’s seabirds.
“Looking after them on behalf of the world is our responsibility, but they’re not doing so well,” says Johannes Fischer, Marine Science Advisor.
“Despite our huge efforts to rid predators from a lot of our important seabird breeding islands, our seabirds are generally declining. In fact, 90% of our seabirds are in trouble.”
Our seabirds go beyond our jurisdiction
A lot of these seabird population declines are due to causes beyond our jurisdiction.
Igor Debski, Principal Science Advisor Marine, says, “These birds use entire ocean basins where they face threats we can’t control. So, we address those threats by working with foreign nations.”
This work falls under New Zealand’s International Seabird Strategy. Mandy Leathers from the International Team, who led the development of the Strategy, says, “Fortunately, there are simple, effective and inexpensive ways to make fishing seabird safe. The Strategy sets a clear roadmap towards seabird-safe fisheries across the oceans where our seabirds forage and live.”
Johannes explains why we’re working with Peru: “Many of our seabirds cross the Pacific and spend a lot of their time in the highly productive Humboldt Current System off the coast of Peru. The Northern Buller’s albatross is a good example of that. So, Peru is an important country for us to work with to make sure our seabirds are safe when they breed here and feed over there.”
Northern Bullers albatross in Peru. Image: Javier Quiñones
A helping hand from 10,000 kilometres away
Peru has a large number of small artisanal fishing fleets. Together with Carlos and his colleague in Peru, Javier Quiñones, we have been trying to identify more precisely which of their fisheries pose the most risk to seabirds such as Northern Buller’s, and then work with those fisheries to help reduce seabird deaths.
We also don’t know much about seabird distributions in their non-breeding range. Carlos had already tried to get some answers by satellite tagging Northern Buller’s in Peru’s waters three years ago. Unfortunately, this project didn’t have much luck with getting data, as all the transmitters were lost – likely due to moulting. Although what he did get showed that Northern Buller’s were following the paths of fishing vessels.
The tail to this tale. Carlos tagged 10 Northern Buller’s albatross with satellite transmitters. Image: Carlos Zavalaga
Colony life
Motuhara (or Motchuhar in Moriori) is home to the world’s biggest colonies of Northern Buller’s albatross and Northern royal albatross. There are also colonies of Northern giant petrels and cape petrels.
Carlos and DOC staff, Mike Bell and Dave Bell, spent 12 days working with all these species – counting nests, checking bands, banding fledglings, recovering geolocators, and most importantly, tagging Northern Buller’s albatrosses with satellite transmitters to get the all-important data for when these birds return to Peru and where they spend their time.
Nest checks for banded Northern royal albatross. The orange paint is to indicate this nest has already been counted. Image: Carlos Zavalaga
A little project making huge gains
Carlos tagged Northern Buller’s albatrosses whose nests had already failed this season in the hopes they would soon leave the colony and fly back to the feeding grounds in Peru. He hoped this would mean he could get enough data before the tail feathers, where the tags are attached, moulted off.
It’s working.
“Five birds are now on their way to Peru – to Carlos – as we speak. It’s all coming together,” Igor says.
It’s also been a win for relationship building with the owners of the island. Being allowed to work on the island was no small deal. It’s privately owned by a conglomerate of over 200 different Māori owners and getting permission is not straightforward.
Carlos met with two of the owners before leaving on the boat for Motuhara. They were really interested in his work and what’s happening in Peru to protect Northern Buller’s albatross.
Motuhara. Image: Carlos Zavalaga
“This international collaboration is bringing a lot to our general knowledge of the birds, implementing the international seabird strategy, and building important relationships,” says Johannes. “This little project is actually making huge gains in everything.”
Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is encouraging people to use the resources available to them to get help, and to report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need.
“The death of a child is utterly heartbreaking. My heart aches for all children that are taken too early and the future they will never get to experience.
“It has been extremely saddening and disappointing to see this already happening so early into this new year. It joins the many other instances of family and sexual violence around the country that often go unseen or unspoken about, and it shows that as a country we still have work to do.
“The Government is currently doing work to improve this, and I am asking this year, and heading into the future, that people work together – with each other and with relevant agencies, to take action so that we can help protect each other.
“Our shift as a country to taking active steps will help to protect Kiwis and save lives.
“Work is currently underway on the family and sexual violence action plan. It focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, protecting children and young people, and enabling a larger workforce and better action to be taken to help and protect people. It is focused on breaking inter-generational cycles of violence in families.
“I am urging people to use the resources available to them so that they can get help to stop family and sexual violence. In many cases we know something is happening but do not act, and that is a something I am advocating for change in.
“I want that this year, people will take action, and reach out to get help. Resources are there for people in danger, and resources are there for people who need help to rehabilitate. Help is there for victims, help is there for perpetrators.
“There are many reasons why we may be reluctant to take action. I am encouraging people to take the step. I know that we can do more for ourselves and our loved ones, and while it is not easy, help is there, and it is waiting.”
Media contact: Michael van der Kwast +64 21 875 347
Notes to editor:
Where to go for help or more information:
If someone hurts you, you can report it to Police and reach out to the family violence or sexual violence helpline.
Women’s Refuge: Free national crisisline operates 24/7 – 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day – 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men’s violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
Help is also available to people who are worried that their behaviour is hurting or scaring others. Call 0800 456 450 or visit www.changeispossible.org.nz to get advice, support and find what help is available for you.
More information on the second Te Aorerekura Action Plan for the prevention of family violence and sexual violence is available here:
Date: 5 January 2025 – “The proposed Countering Foreign Interference bill includes wording that would seriously criminalise legitimate protest and limit rights to freedom of speech,” said Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington.
“The bill contains new criminal offences. The old saying that the ‘devil is in the detail’ is certainly true here.”
“What the bill says is that, if you commit even a minor offence and that provides a benefit to a foreign power, even unintentionally, you could be imprisoned for seven years. A ‘benefit’ is defined as: enhancing the political, economic, or military capability or influence of a foreign power. These are ridiculously broad and subjective measures.”
“An example is helpful to see how this could play out: A large group of peace activists stage a sit-in at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’s office to advocate for more aid to Ukraine. They are all subsequently arrested for disorderly behaviour, a very minor charge. The group is making the same demands as the Ukrainian government, and are thus likely to enhance the political influence of the Ukrainian government. Under this law, they could be prosecuted for providing a benefit to Ukraine, and along with disorderly behaviour charges, they could be imprisoned for up to seven years.”
“We know that the impact of this kind of legislation is to silence legitimate political activity. In particular this is likely to be the case where people are advocating for policies that are contrary to the position of the current government. It is a fundamental attack on our right to freedom of speech.”
“I believe that the broad wording is unintentional, but it is found throughout the proposed law. While we have indicated that we do not support the legislation in its entirety, there is an opportunity for the Select Committee to make critical changes so that it better reflects its actual intended purpose. It is our hope that they will remedy this through that process.”
We call upon everyone who is concerned about threats to our rights to make a submission by the closing date of 16 January.
A reminder that crews will be working from next week to resurface a small stretch of State Highway 1 at the intersection of SH1/3 in Bulls.
The overnight work will begin on Tuesday 7 January and is expected to be complete on Wednesday 22 January.
Crews will be working on site from 6pm to 6am, resurfacing this stretch of road between Fagan St and the SH1/3 intersection.
For the first week of the programme (Tuesday 7 – Wednesday 15 January), the section of road between Daniell Street and the SH1/3 intersection will be closed. A detour will be in place, taking traffic through Criterion Street to avoid the closure.
Following the closure, stop/go traffic management will remain in place from Thursday 16 January to Wednesday 22 January to allow crews to complete the road maintenance work.
The detour and delays are expected to add less than 5 minutes to the journey time. Outside of working hours, the road will be open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.
Following this (from Wednesday 22 to Wednesday 29 January), further road maintenance is planned in Bulls on SH1 Bridge Street. Stop/go will be in place at night between Gorton Street and the Bulls Bridge while road patching is completed.
In the event of bad weather, work will begin on the next fine day and may extend the programme out.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for taking the detour and for their support while we work to boost resilience of this stretch of road.
State Highway 1 Tīrau to Waiouru accelerated maintenance
State Highway 1 Tūrangi to Waiouru – including the Desert Road – will be closed for vital road rebuilding and repairs for around 2 months from Monday 13 January 2025. Find out more and plan ahead
Due to a large scrub fire near the Te Puna Stream Bridge, State Highway 2 (SH2) is reduced to ONE LANE which is causing significant delays.
Emergency services are on the scene and NZ Police is providing traffic control.
Traffic is building with delays of approximately 60 minutes southbound from Waihī, and 30 minutes northbound from Te Puna. Motorists should delay their trips or expect delays. Please take care when passing the scene.
Alternative route – State Highway 29 over Kaimai Range onto State Highway 27 onto State Highway 26 before rejoining SH2.
Attributable to Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders:
Police conducting a homicide investigation into the death of Turipapa Tukere in Ngāruawāhia are following good lines of enquiry, but are still seeking information from the public.
At around 1.30pm on Friday 27 December, Police were alerted to a number of people fighting on Waipa Esplanade, near the intersection of Newton Street. Sometime later, a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan Street. Despite the best efforts of first responders, Turipapa died before she could be airlifted to hospital.
Since then, Police have been speaking with a number of people who are helping to build a picture of what occurred leading up to Turipapa’s death.
Evidence has also been collected from various scenes across Ngāruawāhia, which will be analysed by ESR. Police hope this analysis will identify the person and/or people involved.
Alongside these enquiries, due to ongoing tension between gangs in and around the area, a Gang Conflict Warrant was issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Bill. The warrant powers have assisted in de-escalating gang tensions in the area with a number of arrests made and weapons seized. Police have also obtained information during the execution of these warrants that may be relevant to the homicide, and this information is currently being reviewed by the investigation team.
The warrant is due to remain in place until tomorrow, at which time it will be reviewed.
Police continue to appeal to the community and anyone who may have information in relation to Turipapa’s death to please contact Police.
